![CLEMENTINE VALENTINE [FKA PURPLE PILGRIMS] RELEASE SINGLE 'ENDLESS NIGHT'](http://www.flyingnun.co.nz/cdn/shop/articles/92dc969467c6a76690db13cad126f4e0.jpg?v=1723713582&width=1445)
PHOTO CREDIT: KATHERINE BROOK
Clementine Valentine, the Aotearoa/New Zealand art-pop duo formerly known as Purple Pilgrims, unveil their shimmering new single 'Endless Night' out via Flying Nun Records. With the embrace of their birth names, sisters Clementine and Valentine Nixon mark a significant turning point as they delve into a refined and sophisticated new sound.
'Endless Night' captures the essence of a heroic romance, offering a blend of wide-eyed fantasy and tongue-in-cheek realism. The song comes alive through its intricate layers of instrumentation, entwined vocals, and soaring chorus, expertly produced by New York City's Randall Dunn (Oneohtrix Point Never, Danny Elfman, Jim Jarmusch) and featuring the legendary drummer Matt Chamberlain (David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, Fiona Apple). Mastered by the skilled hands of Heba Kadry (Björk, Beach House, Slowdive), the track shines with its transcendent soundscapes.
The accompanying visualiser, crafted by Motion Graphics Artist Silas McClintock from FUTURA Studio, showcases the painting 'Clementine & Valentine' by acclaimed Aotearoa artist Liz Maw. Merging religious iconography with contemporary themes, Maw's oil-on-board artworks draw inspiration from European old masters while incorporating celebrities and modern figures. Her imaginative depictions often center around women and delve into the concept of the femme fatale.
Reflecting on 'Endless Night', Clementine Valentine shares, “All songs are moments in time trapped in amber, this one feels particularly so. A relic of a past joy, crystallised behind dusty glass. Part self-fulfilling prophecy, part heartfelt sarcasm ”.
Clementine Valentine joins US singer-songwriter Weyes Blood for two spellbinding shows in New Zealand this May (May 29th - Auckland Powerstation, May 30th - Wellington Opera House). Be part of their debut performance under the new moniker, as they showcase fresh material and offer a special preview of their exciting musical journey ahead. Tickets are on sale now from Ticket Master.
With special guests Clementine Valentine (FKA Purple Pilgrims)
May 29th - Powerstation, Auckland & May 30th - The Opera House, Wellington.
ALL AGES SHOWS
Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster.co.nz
Sisters Clementine and Valentine Nixon draw inspiration from their nomadic family heritage, creating music that evokes contrasting moods: ancient and modern, paradise and isolation, beauty and brokenness, ritual and the present moment.
Having grown up between New Zealand and Hong Kong, the sisters gained experience by performing in unconventional spaces and rogue music venues throughout Hong Kong's abandoned industrial estates, captivating audiences with their blend of experimental noise and futuristic dream-pop as Purple Pilgrims.
The duo have since toured the world extensively alongside the likes of Ariel Pink, Aldous Harding, John Maus, and Weyes Blood. It’s a lifestyle embedded in their lineage; travelling musicians and performers go back hundreds of years on their maternal side (as documented on recordings such as The Travelling Stewarts, from 1968). As children, the sisters were taught to sing traditional balladry by their grandmother, daughter of revered Traveller musician Davie Stewart (later recorded by Alan Lomax).
While their earlier works were self-produced and released through underground labels, the sisters have honed their skills to create a more fully realised and sophisticated new sound. They now perform under their birth names and have embraced collaborations with world-renowned musicians and producers – from producer Randall Dunn (Oneohtrix Point Never, Danny Elfman, Jim Jarmusch) to legendary drummer Matt Chamberlain (David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, Fiona Apple).
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